"Beat the Bully Down."
That's how Wiz coach Eddie Jordan (affectionately) described the plan for the LeBron-less Cavs. And it's as apt as an analogy can get these days: Cleveland has been to Washington what the MJ/Pippen Bulls had been to the Ewing Knicks and what the Shaq/Kobe Lakers had been to the Chris Webber Kings: a constant thorn. There have been improbable clutch shots, previously unknown role players turning into stars, missed free throws, and any other thing you can imagine. Those Knicks and Kings teams never got over their respective drubbings, and eventually it went from being a battle of skills to a battle of wills.
So for Washington, the goal's simple: beat Cleveland, regardless of whether or not James is playing. Get some of that bitter taste from the last two playoff matches out of our mouths. Erase some of that "shoulda, coulda, woulda."
And the way the players are rolling, that should be the mentality. Jamison is proving why he should be considered a valuable piece to a playoff team. Every move Butler makes on the court screams, "You better put me in the All-Star Game!" Haywood is still playing like he gives a damn. Nick Young helps makes the bench potent. Daniels is controlling the tempo.
So if you see an opening, and it's a legit one, why not take it?
So for Washington, the goal's simple: beat Cleveland, regardless of whether or not James is playing. Get some of that bitter taste from the last two playoff matches out of our mouths. Erase some of that "shoulda, coulda, woulda."
And the way the players are rolling, that should be the mentality. Jamison is proving why he should be considered a valuable piece to a playoff team. Every move Butler makes on the court screams, "You better put me in the All-Star Game!" Haywood is still playing like he gives a damn. Nick Young helps makes the bench potent. Daniels is controlling the tempo.
So if you see an opening, and it's a legit one, why not take it?
Comments